Payroll Specialist Lead - UAE

Position Overview

Remote is seeking an experienced Payroll Specialist Lead to manage payroll operations in the United Arab Emirates. This role involves end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. You will also manage stakeholder relationships, drive process improvements, and mentor payroll specialists in a fast-paced, international environment.

About Remote

Remote is dedicated to simplifying global employment compliance for modern organizations. We empower businesses of all sizes to recruit, pay, and manage international teams seamlessly. Our team operates asynchronously across six continents, united by core values and a future-focused work culture. We encourage diversity of talent, experience, and culture to build a best-in-class HR platform.

If you are energetic, curious, motivated, and ambitious, join us in defining the future of work!

What this job can offer you

This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of UAE payroll operations at Remote. You will be instrumental in ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency while collaborating with key stakeholders in Finance, Product, and Engineering. This role offers the chance to lead process improvements, mentor team members, and contribute to the ongoing optimization of payroll operations.

Requirements

• Experience: In-house payroll management or equivalent experience leading the full end-to-end processing of UAE payroll.
• UAE Payroll Systems: Hands-on experience with DMCC, MOL, or WPS workflows.
• Payroll Knowledge: Understanding of payroll best practices.
• Software Proficiency: Proficient in software tools such as SAP, Excel, and Google Sheets.
• Analytical Skills: An analytical mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, international work environment with a passion for making an impact.
• Efficiency: A productivity-oriented mindset focused on continuous improvement and work optimization.
• Asynchronous Work: Understanding of the need and benefits of largely asynchronous work.
• Language: Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Remote Work Experience: While not required, experience working remotely is considered a plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for UAE payroll.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders within Payroll Implementation, Finance, Product, and Engineering.
• Process full end-to-end payroll, including statutory filing, exception handling, approvals, payments, and compliance.
• Ensure payroll operations adhere to DMCC, MOL, or WPS requirements, including reporting and processing standards.
• Maintain data integrity and quality.
• Perform accounting and reconciliations.
• Focus on achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Implement and improve payroll processes.
• Mentor and support other payroll specialists.
• Provide backup support to regional managers during absences.

Practicals

• Reporting to: Manager, Global Payroll Operations
• Team: Payroll
• Location: EMEA
• Start Date: As soon as possible

Compensation Philosophy

Remote's Total Rewards philosophy ensures fair, unbiased compensation and equitable pay, along with competitive benefits across all operating locations. We are committed to paying above in-location rates and do not endorse cheap-labor practices. Our goal is to inspire other companies to embrace global talent hiring and contribute to local economies in developing countries.

Our salary bands are wide due to our international operations and globally distributed workforce. Geo ranges are used to account for geographic pay differentials, ensuring competitiveness in various markets while hiring globally.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $33,300 to $74,850 USD. Actual base pay is determined by role, level, and location. Our job titles may encompass multiple career levels.